Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia: Integrated Large-scale Geothermal Systems (Kelowna)

Integrated geothermal heating systems involve geothermal direct use, geothermal heat pump resources, and technologies used for large-scale heating and cooling applications (heating and cooling of large buildings, malls, airports, campuses, city blocks, greenhouses, etc.). Contrary to small-scale systems that can have a relatively standard design, large-scale geothermal systems are often very complex. Efficient and sustainable use of a limited ground resource for a large application requires detailed understanding and a customized design (to maximize the energy output while minimizing capital and operating costs). This seminar will cover interlinked problems related to resource sustainability, technology options, monitoring/control systems and environmental/economical constraints. Specific topics include:

• Sustainability and storability of geothermal resources (including ground, ground water and surface waters)
• Integrated extraction, heat-pump, and heat distribution system design for sustainable and economically efficient use of the resource

Presenter Mory Ghomshei P.Eng./P.Geo., from the Universityof British Columbia, is an international geothermal expert who has designed and developed many medium- and large-scale geothermal  heat pump systems for a wide range of applications. Dr. Ghomshei is the former chair of the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association and a pioneer in extraction of clean geothermal energy from operating and abandoned mines. This session will be held in Kelowna on Friday, May 6 (location tba) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Breakfast and lunch provided. To register, visit http://www.apeg.bc.ca/prodev/events/integrated_geothermal_may11kel.html. For additional information, contact Professional Development Coordinator Ailene Lim at alim@apeg.bc.ca.

5.5 Core LUs

May 24 AIBC Events at 2011 Festival

Here is the outline for AIBC activities on Tuesday, May 24, the first day of the 2011 Festival of Architecture at the Vancouver Convention Centre:

• Breakfast and Registration (0800 – 0830)
• Morning Sessions (0830 – 1000 & 1030 – 1200)
  Two sequential 90-minute sessions (i.e. no need to make a choice – attend both of them) with a refreshment/networking break between.

 Session One: Truth and Consequences:  (1.5 non-core LUs, self-reported)
– a set of three debates, each with a resolution; two debaters; audience participation; and moderated by Richard Bolus MAIBC. Here are the three resolutions up for debate:

• Small architectural firms are doomed to extinction (Bruce Knapp MAIBC and Matthew Woodruff MAIBC)
• The edge is a dangerous and foolish locus for architectural practice (Brian Sim MAIBC and Jennifer Marshall MAIBC)
• RFPs provide a goldmine of opportunities for architects (Almeva Stiles CGA and Jim Meiklejohn MAIBC)

Session Two: New & Diverse Members / Elephants in the Room: (1.5 non-core LUs, self-reported)

• a workshop built upon six months of research and reflection concerning expectations, barriers and realities respecting registration and principal roles in architectural firms.  This engaging presentation will take a closer look at the critical period from post-secondary graduation to registration. Expect anecdotal case studies and fictitious personae. You will come away with fresh insight into the issues and obstacles surrounding registration, the culture of architectural practice, and what needs to change.

• Engagement Lunch with Colleagues & Council Members (12:00 – 1:30)
  – a chance to continue the morning’s dialogue over comestibles and libations.

• Afternoon Sessions (1:45 – 5:10, including a scheduled break between sessions)
  Two sessions: the first being the 92nd Annual Meeting, the second being the Members Forum. Agendas and protocols for both sessions have been posted on the AIBC web site (link). (2.0 non-core LUs)

• Exhibitors’ Reception (6:00 – 7:30)

• Festival Keynote Address (7:30 – 8:30) (1.0 core LU, self-reported)

– featuring Vancouver Architect Bing Thom CM MAIBC FRAIC AIA

There is no charge for these Tuesday events. However, you are requested to r.s.v.p. your intent to attend to Executive Assistant Katherine Rau at krau@aibc.ca -or- simply sign up online when you register for the Festival. Update (May 20, 2011): RSVP/Registration has closed.

Architects, Artists Converge to Brainstorm Disaster Relief

By Mami Maruko, TheJapanTimes

April 19, 2011

The 52nd floor of the Roppongi Hills complex in downtown Tokyo was filled Saturday night with a high-spirited, energetic atmosphere as people gathered for a charity event to raise donations for survivors of the quake- and tsunami-ravaged Tohoku region. More than 200 people gathered for “Global PechaKucha Day – Inspire Japan” to listen to architects, artists and musicians present their ideas for raising disaster-relief funds. The same event was held at 92 locations around the world the same day, and most of them were streamed live on the Internet. More …

The Poverty of Starchitecture

Is the demand for architectural service so limited that we follow the money no matter whom it comes from?
By Michael Murphy, Change Observer

April 15, 2011

On March 25th, Zaha Hadid Architects made a quarter of its staff redundant, laying off more than 90 employees because of “unforeseen events in North Africa.” The reason was the democratic uprising in the Middle East, and specifically Libya, where Hadid’s new conference center outside of Tripoli had been “put on hold” while the beleaguered dictatorship’s post-meltdown kleptocracy returned its financial priorities to maintaining its grip on power. More …

Sustainable Region Initiative – Sustainability Dialogue, Zero Waste Challenge: Accelerating Multi-family Waste Diversion

Sustainable Region Initiative

The Future of the Region Sustainability Dialogues and Sustainability Community Breakfasts are outreach components of Metro Vancouver’s Sustainable Region Initiative (SRI). They involve a series of high-profile debates and discussions intended to help decision makers shape the future of the region by presenting a range of views and stimulating fresh thought on regional issues such as housing, industry, labour and immigration, drugs and crime, regional economy, transportation, energy and agriculture. In 2011, Metro Vancouver will convene 16 dialogues throughout the region please check the website often to find out about future dialogues in your community.

Sustainability Dialogue

Topic: Zero Waste Challenge: Accelerating Construction and Demolition Waste Diversion

Construction, renovation and demolition activities generate 1.3 million tons of waste materials in Metro Vancouver each year. What impact will compulsory waste reduction and recycling on construction and demolition sites, and the banning of wood waste from disposal, have on industry practices? What does this imperative for change mean for the industry, local governments and those contemplating a construction or renovation project in the future? What innovative solutions will increase waste diversion in this sector while also generating positive economic and social benefits for our region? Panelists at the various sessions include: Richard Babcock, General Manager – Urban Wood Waste Recyclers Ltd.; John Friswell, Owner – CCI Renovations; Corinne Fulton, General Manager – 3R Demolition; Susan Hildebrand, Construction Manager and Director of Sustainability – SCOTT Construction Group; Barry Joneson, Owner/Operator – Pacific Labour; Dennis Ranahan, Division Manager, Solid Waste Planning and Business Modelling – Metro Vancouver; Patrick Ryan, Deputy Chief Building Official – City of Vancouver; Peter Simpson, President and CEO – Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association; and Diane Switzer, Executive Director – Vancouver Heritage Foundation.

North Shore

• Tuesday, April 26, 2011
• 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (lunch will be served)
• Hollyburn Country Club,950 Crosscreek Road,West Vancouver
• To register, click here.

Vancouver

• Thursday, April 28, 2011
• 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (lunch will be served)
• Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue,580 West Hastings Street,Vancouver
• To register, click here.

Central Northeast

• Tuesday, May 17, 2011
• 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (lunch will be served)
• Executive Plaza Hotel,405 North Road
• To register, click here.

South of the Fraser

• Tuesday, May 31, 2011
• 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (lunch will be served)
• Comfort Inn Surrey Hotel,8255 166th Street,Surrey
• To register, click here.

Canada Green Building Council: LEED® Canada Documentation Course

This one-day interactive workshop addresses the LEED® certification process and the tools in place to assist applicants in seeking CaGBC LEED® project certification for new construction. It will address some of the more complex documentation requirements for the LEED® NC 1.0 + addendum as well as the following application guides:

• Multi-unit Residential Buildings (MURB)
• Campus and Multiple Buildings (CMB)
• Core and Shell (CS)

Note: Any CaGBC workshop will meet eligibility requirements for the Green Associate examination. This workshop will be held Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at the Vancouver Island Technology Park, #2201 – 4464 Markham Street, Victoria. Register at http://www.cagbc.org/source/Events/Event.cfm?EVENT=DC11VI0504&section=Education

7.5 Core LUs

2011 Vancouver Heritage Awards

The City of Vancouver has announced the winners of its annual Heritage Awards, which acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of architects, community organizations, developers, writers, artists and ordinary citizens to preserve the city’s heritage. There are three award categories; Recognition, Merit and Honour. This year’s recipients with AIBC connections include:

Awards of Recognition

• Garage + Cordage Building (Acton Ostry Architects Inc.; Donald Luxton & Associates)
• Woodward’s (Henriquez Partners Architects)

Awards Of Merit

• Cordova Street Stables (Gair Williamson Architect Inc.; Donald Luxton & Associates)
• London Hotel (GBL Architects; Robert Lemon Architect Inc.)
• Vancouver Gas Co. Building (Gair Williamson Architect Inc.; Donald Luxton & Associates)
• Grand and Terminus Hotels (Acton Ostry Architects Inc.; Donald Luxton & Associates)
• YMCA (Stantec Architecture Ltd.; Endall Elliot Associates; Robert Lemon Architect Inc.)
• Vancouver Block (Orbis Architecture Inc.)

Awards of Honour

• Wing Sang Building (Walter Francl Architecture Inc.; Donald Luxton & Associates; Robert Lemon Architect Inc.)
• Alhambra Hotel (Acton Ostry Architects Inc.; Donald Luxton & Associates)
• Evergreen Building (Omicron Canada Inc.)
• Orpheum Theatre (Proscenium Architecture + Interiors Inc.)
• Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Proscenium Architecture + Interiors Inc.)
• Salt Building (Acton Ostry Architects Inc.; Jonathan Yardley Architect)

In addition to celebrating the 125th anniversary of the City of Vancouver, this marks the 25th year of the city’s heritage program.